PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 12/12/17 (Star Tours, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, Muppet Subtractions, ETC.)

WDWNT on December 21, 2017

Our latest photo report brings us back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see the latest progress on this park in transition.

Welcome to Construction

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The new sections of parking lot were completed some time ago, removing greenery and palm trees in favor of more parking spaces that will be needed sorely come 2019.

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This expansion of the lot took place on both sides.

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Work continues on the Disney Skyliner station for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which you can see the concept art for here.

Welcome to Hollywood

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More stuff was thrown onto the left projection tower in the Center Stage area as Disney tries to make this thing look like it belongs there.

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It’s certainly better than it was, but these things still look completely out of place.

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For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration now features Olaf and music from the Olaf’s Frozen Adventure short. They might want to change the sign that says it is playing in theaters with Coco.

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Guests can now sit and eat in the former AOTAS Hall of Fame area, while Disney hopes the vines around the former sign grow in at some point…

Nothing but Star Wars…

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Signage at Star Tours was changed to reflect the recent additions to the ride.

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Nearby, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is taking shape. For a better look at this, be sure to check out our latest Disney’s Hollywood Studios Expansion Update video:

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Some palm trees were planted off to the side of the tunnel.

This and That

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The “Muppet Babies” section of Stage 1 Company Store has been closed for a while now, and sadly looks like it will not return. Why must Grand Avenue take everything Muppets away from us?

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Not only is it sealed off from inside, but there is a fairly permanent looking Cast Member access door now visible.

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A brick wall now separates Muppets Courtyard, I mean Grand Park from Star Tours. This will make for the most terrible crowd flow when Galaxy’s Edge opens.

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A new backstage gate has been constructed near the exit of MuppetVision 3-D. This was once a path through the Backlot, but now it will be a dead end.

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Work continues on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Toy Story Land

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Work continues on the entrance to Toy Story Land, set to open next Summer.

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The corner of the Toy Story Mania building (where the catwalk was ripped off) is now being patched up.

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Mousecellaneous

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Both of the billboards behind the Chinese Theater are for The Last Jedi. I guess this movie needs to be advertised heavily…

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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge looms in the distance from PIXAR Place.

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The highest point in the land was topped off with a flag and a tree.

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To help guests visiting Toy Story Mania, Disney added these rope signs. This is somewhat helpful as the average guest never seems to know where to go.

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iPhone X cases are now available from D-Tech on Demand at the Star Wars Launch Bay Cargo Bay store.

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The store was also shaken up quite a bit, removing the onstage counter where the D-Tech devices were made. Now they are just made offstage and brought to the checkout counters when they are done.

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Guests can now partake in the Droid Factory here as well.

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More 2018 pins have hit shelves at the parks.

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Despite debuting over a month ago, they are still not finished building the projection booth for Sunset Seasons Greetings…

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PHOTOS: D-Tech on Demand Phone Cases & MagicBands Come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on December 21, 2017

Formerly only available at Star Wars Launch Bay, Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can now make their own MagicBands and phone cases with more than just Star Wars characters.

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Inside of The Darkroom on Hollywood Boulevard, Guests will find the new D-Tech on Demand kiosks. While it only advertises MagicBands, phone cases are available.

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Phone case categories include characters, parks, movies, featured artists, and Star Wars.

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MagicBands are simplified to Disney and Star Wars categories.

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The featured artist category had some designs we had not seen elsewhere.

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With D-Tech on Demand, Guests can design an item, pay for it, and pick up the finished product a short while later.

BREAKING: New Details of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Released at Galactic Nights Event

WDWNT on December 21, 2017

Disney shared a number of new details for Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios during tonight’s Star Wars: Galactic Nights panel.

We’ve all seen the Millenium Falcon on screen, but until you climb through that hatch, walk through her hallways, sit inside the cockpit, power her up and actually FLY her yourself, it’s not quite the same. Here is a photo of the inside of the ship as Imagineers are getting her ready:

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Additionally, Imagineers highlighted some other examples of the team’s progress, including building a fleet of full-size X-wing starfighters. One tap on the metal side of these ships tells you that they are real, and ready for action.

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In the marketplace in the Batuu village, guests can explore a rich collection of shops and merchant stalls. Imagineers shared a great example of one overseen by a Toydarian, one of the creatures first encountered on Tatooine in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.” So what does he sell? Toys, of course! Here is a piece of concept art for what that toy stall will look like.

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Inside, you’ll be able to discover all kinds of fun and cool toys straight out of the Star Wars galaxy. Exclusive to this outpost, all these offerings look hand-crafted by local artisans. They’re going to be fun, unique, and completely in-story.

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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in 2019, first at Disneyland Park, and then at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

RUMOR: Disney Restaurants at Walt Disney World to be Added to OpenTable for Reservations

WDWNT on December 21, 2017

If you want a reservation at a Disney-owned restaurant at Walt Disney World, you currently have to call 407-WDW-DINE or use the Disney website/mobile application to do so, but in the near future, it appears guests may be able to use OpenTable.

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OpenTable allows people to make reservations for restaurants just about anywhere, in fact, several 3rd-party restaurants at Disney Springs use the service as well as the DisneyWorld.com system. Disney would add the restaurants to OpenTable as well in hopes of gaining more attention with diners in the Orlando area, as the app showcases nearby restaurants when you open it.

OpenTable does have the capability of requiring a credit card hold for restaurants, so the same reservation parameters that currently apply at Disney restaurants would still be in place if this happens.

There is no set time frame for this service to roll out, but it should be fairly soon if it clears all of the appropriate channels.

Merchandise & More Revealed for Star Wars Galactic Nights

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

This year’s Star Wars: Galactic Nights event on December 16 will feature new event-exclusive merchandise. Attendees will also have first access to merchandise for the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story film, and be able to get a Star Wars makeover at a special pop-up spa.

Event-exclusive merchandise includes t-shirts, a tumbler, and a limited edition pin that commemorate the event.

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Guests at Galactic Nights will also be able to purchase Solo: A Star Wars Story t-shirts, which are the first products created especially for Disney Parks for the upcoming film. Galactic Nights will be the first time the shirt is made available; it will then roll out to other parks locations starting December 17th and be available through May 25, 2018. On behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change, 25% of the retail price of the t-shirt will be donated to UNICEF USA in support of UNICEF Kid Power.

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Attendees who want to look the part can visit the Senses – A Disney Spa Pop-Up Experience for a themed makeover. The pop-up spa will be set up in the Sunset Boulevard area of the park and will offer three different makeover packages that include fingernail, makeup and hair treatments inspired by Star Wars. Depending on the package, makeovers will take 30-60 minutes and will cost $80-$120 for adults and $50-$90 for children.

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Digital “makeovers” are also available via exclusive Snapchat filters created specifically for the event. Eight different location-based filters will be available through the Snapchat app.

The event will hand out a special holiday ornament to attendees who have a ticket stub or proof of purchase from the opening weekend of Star Wars: The Last Jedi (dated December 14-17). The film opens Friday, December 15, but most theaters will begin showing the film on the night of December 14th. The commemorative ornaments are limited to one per guest while supplies last.

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Disney has also teased one final surprise for the event – a special takeaway item when guests exit the park at the end of the event.

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You can review our previous posts to learn more about the exclusive foods and activities, including special Tower of Terror projections and celebrity appearances, at the event. Galactic Nights tickets are $129 for adults or $124 for children, plus tax.

BREAKING: New Concept Art & Details Released for the Disney Skyliner Gondola System & Park Stations at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

Earlier this year, Disney finally announced the Disney Skyliner transportation system that will give resort guests an unforgettable journey and a picturesque view of Walt Disney World Resort as they take to the sky to travel from select Disney resorts to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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Today, Disney is sharing new details on what you can expect from the Disney Skyliner system.

Select Disney Skyliner cabins will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests, such as characters from the ‘Fab Five,’ figures from Disney attractions, fan favorites from movies, and more.

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The design of the Disney Skyliner station at International Gateway at Epcot will be inspired by the park’s nearby European Pavilions, and will be covered with metal and glass canopies, hand-painted murals and ornamental steel structures that harken back to the early 18th century Art Nouveau style. Guests traveling to Epcot via the Disney Skyliner will be welcomed to the park with a rare birds-eye view of World Showcase.

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The Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station will be the hub of activity for Disney Skyliner. This station is inspired by the open air village marketplaces of the Caribbean and will showcase the nearby resort’s architectural detailing and color schemes. At this station, passengers will be able to transfer gondola routes to reach their destination, or are invited to sit and admire the waterfront resort setting.

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The design style of the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will fit with that of the park’s main entrance and bus stations. Passengers traveling here from the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station can expect a new aerial perspective of the park’s iconic attractions, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will share a Disney Skyliner station that feels whimsical and contextual with both resorts. Upon departing the gondola station, Skyliner passengers will ascend over Hourglass Lake and enjoy a panoramic view of these two colorful resorts.

Finally, cabins will slow down at the Disney Skyliner turn-station along Buena Vista Drive, where guests can see the mechanical and aerial components that make up the Disney Skyliner.

No opening date has been set for the Disney Skyliner as of yet.

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